Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-02-04
WASHINGTON MArTERA
congres.ional. Politieal. social and othsrwiss


Congressional, Political Social and otherwise
WAsnINGroS, Jsn'y 81, 1887.
] The most important event or the past
week in congress is the passage by the sen
ate OF the bill authorizing the president to
protect and defend the rights Of American
fishermen, American fishing vessels. Amer
lean trading and other vessels. The do
bate upon this measure VAS the most ami
mated and spirited Of the session.
Mr.. ingalls, OF Kansas made a long address
which was "A scathing arraigument OF Great
Britain, and finally reached the conclusion
that the matter would have TO be settled
either 10y diplomacy or blood. Senator
/ Frye believes war is the only remedy, and
became very emphatic in his demand for
blood.
Mr.. Edmunds poured oil upon the
troubled waters when he said that 1t was
not n question of war at this time; that
the whole matter depended upon the inter
probation, or construction, of the treaty
of 1918. bye and bye he added should
these matters not al Just themselves prop
erly, one or the other country might de-
eide to go TO war"
Mr. Evarts made one OF his characters
tically long speeches in support OF the bill
( and was followed by Senators Hale and
Vest in support OF the measure, and by
Riddleberger who vigorously opposed 1t.
When the vote was taken the hill was
passed, with only ono dissenting voice,
I Riddleberger voting rs he had prayed, for
the defeat OF the measure.
The senate has passed the bin for the re
lief of dependent parents and honorably
discharged soldiers and sailors who are
now dependent upon their own labor Tor
support.
The agricultural experiment station bill
"A t.
bin directs the estabi shment in connection
with the agricultural colleges OF depart
ment to be known and designated as an
agricultural experiment station. Where
there are two such college, in one state the
amount appropriated To each state and
territory for this purpose (sl5,OOO) is to be
equally divided between them unless the
state legislature shall otherwise direct.
A committee headed by Mrs Lille Dew
ereux Blake, repre- ,enting the national
woman suffrage association, called on the
president few days ago with request
that he veto the Edmund, hill or the Tuck
er substitute proposing TO dlsfranchise
non poly gamous women OF Utah.
The widow of Gen Logan is receiving
letters from all parts Of the country ask
ing her To extend help or loan money TO
the applicants in view OF the large fund
which has been raised sfor her. Among
other, IS "A letter from an lmpecunious
$1,000 for a term OF years at per cent.
interest.
Fire in the machine shop Of the navy
ward the other afternoon did Sl5OOO dam
age In IL were stored the drawings and
casting patterns of about 1900 guns and
carriages. Some lew OF the patterns were
completely destroyed, but the drawings
were uniniured except by water. The
records aud the library were removed un-
injured The floors and machinery were
but slightly damaged, the latter princi-
pally by water.
Mr. O'Donnell has formally presented an
invitation to Mrs. and Mrs. Cleveland
from the Jackson Guard TO visit the recep
ton OF that military organization TO be
held at jackson, February % These re
ceptions are 10 be given on n magnificent
scale. The president expressed pleasure
at the kind membrance, and regretted
that it would be impossible for him TO at
tend He will formally tender the thanks
Of Mrs. Cleveland and himself TO the com
pany.
The house has passed a bill appropriat-
ing $4,000 TO enable the commissioner OF
agriculture 60 make a special distribution
Of seed in the drouth stricken counties Of
Texas.
Mr. Steele Of Indiana created considerA-
, bic amusement in the house the other day,
when he attempted to call up for consider
alton the bill for the reorganization of the
|, army, sugges ting that rs war had been
!, declared II was important that action
. should be taken on the measure, The
house could not look at the matter in the
, same light, and declined TO take up the
: special order.
The house devoted considerable time the
past week TO the discussion of approprla
ton bills and passed the post office, mill
, tary and District of Columbia appropria
ton bills.
; The railroad attorney bill, by vote OF
the senate, has been buried deep in the
calendar. and action on II will probably be
. deferred from time 10 time, as its oppo
nents may be successful in their mAnWuv-
q
, The protection democrats have com
Q pleted their plan TO reduce the surplus
revenue, upon which they have been at
work for some time The principal and
general features of the bill are the same
? that have been published from time TO
= time 1t wipes out the tax on tobacco and
$ Weiss beer and also the license tax on
dealers in whisky. The question whether
the tax on alcohol used in the arts should
be reduced is left an open one to be decid
J. on by the house.
5 The provisions OF the Randall bill, which
i increased the duties in certain cases. are
stricken out. The free list OF the Randall
bill has also been augmented. Lumber.
Q goats hair, fur used for making hats, jute
. and jute butts, are among the articles
r placed on the free list. The duty on stee
!. rails is reduced to $l3. The principal fea
L ture OF the Hewitt customs administrs
J. tive bill are incorporated in the new bil
. together with some additions ad justed by
u the treasury department What j. known
"a the warehouse section of the Hewitt
bill, however, is eliminated. 1t is expect
s ed that the customs section OF the bill will
; effect a reduction OF $1,000 0oo snd thai
y the total reduction Of revenue made 10y
the bill will be from $50, 0oO,0 900 TO $50, 900,
600
Q 1t is rumored in society circles tina
. Secretary Bayard will, within the year
{ be married to a young lady who belong
- 70 one OF the first families in Virginia Il
n Is expected that the engagement will sooI
$ be announced.
d While a member OF the senate GsrlanC
y was Of the opinion that the interstate
o commerce bill was unconstitutional Gar
land believes that wise men sometimes
change their minds and since it has beer